Around the Cracker Barrel

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes listeners to a conversation about lifelong learning in Southern Arizona through OLLI UA. Guy is joined by Lynn Janklow and Janelle McCormick, volunteers from the Green Valley campus of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arizona (OLLI UA). The discussion highlights how OLLI UA provides enriching, curiosity-dri...

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley sits down with Linda Osborne, Director of Sales, and Megan Westerdahl, Retirement Counselor at La Posada at Green Valley, for an engaging and informative “Mythbusters” conversation focused on retirement living. The discussion opens with highlights from La Posada’s holiday golf cart parade, showcasing the culture, creativity, and strong sense...

Around the Cracker Barrel host Guy Atchley welcomes Bruce Beikman, Communications Director for the Gospel Rescue Mission in Tucson, for an in-depth conversation about homelessness, recovery, and real solutions that go beyond temporary shelter. Broadcasting live from Posada Java at La Posada at Green Valley, the discussion highlights the Mission’s holistic approach to helping individuals and famili...

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes listeners to a conversation centered on the Whipple Observatory . Broadcasting live from Posada Java , Guy is joined by Amy Oliver, Head of Education and Public Outreach , and introduces Whipple’s new Director, Gabrelle Saurage. With decades of experience at major observatories across the Southwest, Hawaii, and even aboard the SOFIA...

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Jon Reardon, CEO of United Community Health Center AZ, for a conversation about UCHC’s mission and its remarkable 43-year journey serving Southern Arizona. Reardon shares the organization’s humble beginnings—born out of necessity when local residents lacked access to basic medical care. From mobile clinics staffed by University of A...

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley broadcasts from Posada Java to explore how La Posada at Green Valley keeps its campus updated, and future-ready. Guy is joined by Beth Ernst, Vice President & COO of La Posada Communities, and Andrea Ott-Telford, Director of Facilities, who break down the major investments and careful planning that go into maintaining one of Southern Ari...

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley sits down with Nan Clarke, Director of Publicity for the GVR Artisan Shop, to highlight one of Green Valley’s most vibrant creative hubs. Nan shares the rich history of the shop—originally known as La Tienda—which became an official GVR club back in 1981 and has since grown to nearly 70 members. Located in the inner courtyard of the West Cen...

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel , host Guy Atchley broadcasts live from Posada Java to spotlight an exciting new production from the Santa Cruz Shoestring Players : the beloved musical “The Fantasticks.” Guy is joined by director Kevin Hansen , actor Neil Crapo , and Shoestring Players president Marcy Miller , who share a lively and heartfelt conversation about the magic and history of this...

On this week’s Around the Cracker Barrel, Guy Atchley speaks with Joyce Finkelstein, Executive Director of the Green Valley–Sahuarita Volunteer Clearinghouse, and Amber Woods, Board Chair, about one of the community’s most meaningful annual events — the Volunteer Showcase. Taking place on Wednesday, November 12, from 10 AM to Noon at the GVR West Center (1111 GVR Drive), the showcase connects resi...

In this week’s episode of Around the Cracker Barrel, Andy Taylor welcomed KGVY owners Chet and Deanna Walker to celebrate the 24th Annual KGVY Senior Boomer Info Fair — a beloved Green Valley tradition held at Desert Hills Lutheran Church. The trio shared laughs and memories while previewing the upcoming event, which brings together dozens of exhibitors, local health providers, and restaurants for...

In this week’s Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Beth Ernst, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for La Posada Communities, and Steve Kolnacki, Vice President of Health Services, to discuss the comprehensive continuum of care available at La Posada at Green Valley. Ernst explains that the community offers independent living, assisted living, and at-home care options desig...

On this week’s Around the Cracker Barrel, Guy Atchley welcomed Gail Creamer, founder of Warmth from the Heart, along with Jill Leach and Julie Reppenhagen of the Green Valley Rotary Club, to share the inspiring story behind this annual jacket drive that brings warmth and compassion to the Amado and Green Valley communities. The effort began in 2017, when Creamer, then owner of the Ranch Beauty Sho...

Supporting Youth Through Community Partnership This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomed Ken Woodward from the Optimist Club of Green Valley–Sahuarita and Paul Loomans with the Sahuarita Educational Enrichment Foundation (SEEF). Together, they discussed their shared mission of supporting youth and education in the community through scholarships, enrichment programs, and fun...

This week, host Guy Atchley welcomes Chuck Parsons, president of the Green Valley Gardeners, and Eric Stiegler, chairperson of the upcoming plant sale. The conversation highlights the club’s two major fall events at Desert Meadows Park: the Fall Plant Sale on October 17–18 and Art in the Park on October 18. These back-to-back events will feature native plants, local artwork, live music, food truck...

In this week’s Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Claudia Mirescu , Vice President of Marketing for La Posada Communities, along with special guests and longtime residents Monte and Virginia Crook . The couple shares their remarkable life journey, beginning with Monte’s Air Force career as a fighter pilot and their eventual decision to move from Florida to Green Valley . They rec...

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Monica Gonzalez, Associate Director of Resource Centers for Amado, Green Valley, and Nogales, and Chris Firmage, Public Relations Manager for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Together, they share insights on the vital role the food bank plays in serving southern Arizona communities and the challenges of meeting growing f...

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley sits down with Kim Eisley, President of the Animal League of Green Valley, and Laurie Wagner, one of the League’s dedicated dog trainers, to talk about an urgent community need. With major parking lot renovations scheduled to begin September 29th, the shelter and its thrift store will temporarily close for two weeks—meaning nearly 40–45 dogs...

Around the Cracker Barrel – OLLI-UA at Green Valley In this edition of Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes guests Neil Best and Janelle McCormick, volunteers with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arizona (OLLI-UA), Green Valley campus. Together, they explore the rich opportunities OLLI offers for adults 50+ to stay active, engaged, and curious through aff...

On this week’s Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Stevan Wells and Debbie Twarogal from the Parkinson’s Support Group of Green Valley. Together, they share personal experiences and valuable insights into understanding Parkinson’s disease, from the challenges of diagnosis to the realities of living with this progressive condition. Stevan, who was diagnosed over ten years ago, offe...

On this episode of Around the Cracker Barrel, Andy Taylor sat down with Holly Doyle, manager of Posada Java, to highlight the many ways La Posada’s community hub brings people together. Holly shared how Posada Java has become more than just a coffee shop — it’s a gathering place for friends, support groups, and local events. From fresh pastries, sandwiches, and ice cream to a welcoming environment...

In this week’s Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Karen Schwartz and Gayle Peek from PAWS Patrol —a nonprofit dedicated to helping community cats in Southern Arizona. Karen and Gayle explain how PAWS Patrol focuses on feral and colony cats, working alongside the Animal League of Green Valley to find homes for adoptable cats and kittens, while returning ferals to their colonies th...

In this week's episode of Around The Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley speaks with Mike Garcia, Parks and Recreation Lead for the Town of Sahuarita, and the Town of Sahuarita, Mayor Tom Murphy about the growing impact of adaptive sports in the community. Mike shares his personal journey from a high school sports enthusiast to a wheelchair basketball player after a life-changing accident at 15, and...

In this episode of Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Amy Oliver, Public Affairs Officer for the Whipple Observatory. Amy shares updates on the Observatory’s summer maintenance during monsoon season and previews exciting fall programming. She discusses the temporary closure of the Science Center for exhibit upgrades, the safety-driven policy of pausing telescope operations, and r...

In this week’s episode of Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Jane Lateer and Arthur Dixon, a married couple celebrating one year of living at La Posada at Green Valley, alongside Cindy Barbee, Director of Marketing. The trio shares personal stories and insights into how community living at La Posada has transformed their social life, rekindled hobbies like dancing and guitar, and...

In this week’s episode of Around the Cracker Barrel, broadcast from the scenic campus of La Posada in Green Valley, host Guy Atchley welcomes a fascinating guest: Cressi Brown, Certified Master Herpetologist with the Southern Arizona Reptile Rescue & Education Cressi brings her extensive knowledge of Southern Arizona’s reptilian and amphibious residents to the conversation, focusing especially...